Pregnancy / Birth

Find out about the time of pregnancy at an early stage. It is also important that you prepare for childbirth.

To support you, there are many counselling centres that will advise you personally and possibly even in your language.

The Canton of St.Gallen also offers many services to support you during this time after the birth.

Pregnancy

You can go to a gynecologist for the examinations. Midwives are also available to accompany and advise you during pregnancy. You can also get important information at the Family Centre or at the Mothers/Fathers Counselling Centre. In the hospital and with your midwife, you can attend a course on birth preparation.

Your health insurance pays for the medical examinations and for the birth.

Pregnancy and childbirth brochure (multilingual)

Pregnancy - Information site in many languages

Birth preparation

You can go to a gynecologist for the examinations. Midwives are also available to accompany and advise you during pregnancy. You can also get important information at the Family Centre or at the Mothers/Fathers Counselling Centre. In the hospital and with your midwife, you can attend a course on birth preparation.

Your health insurance pays for the medical examinations and for the birth.

Pregnancy and childbirth brochure (multilingual)

Birth preparation courses in different languages

mamamundo offers preparation courses for the birth in various languages, so take advantage of the offer in your native language if you have any questions about the birth:

Offers from mamamundo

mamamundo Birth Preparation Courses

Midwives

The midwife accompanies and advises you and your family holistically during pregnancy, birth, the puerperium and throughout the breastfeeding period.

You can choose the midwife yourself. Ideally, you should see your midwife 3-4 months before the birth.

Midwife search in the Canton of St.Gallen new window

Midwife at the Cantonal Hospital of St.Gallen

A film by the Cantonal Hospital of St.Gallen

Doula Birth Attendant

A doula accompanies women and couples during pregnancy, during childbirth and in the aftermath. A doula takes on the role of physical and emotional support and does not carry out medical acts and consultations.

Find doulas near you new window

The birth

You decide where you want to give birth to your child: whether at home, in hospital or in a birthing center. Your midwife will accompany you.

You must report the birth of your child to the civil registry office at your place of residence within 3 days. This task is usually performed by the hospital or birthing center. You can then order the birth certificate from the Zivilstandsamt at your place of residence.

Health insurance

Every baby needs its own basic insurance. You can take out this before the birth (and no later than 3 months after the birth).

If you want to insure your unborn child comprehensively, it is worth registering before the birth. You can also take out supplementary insurance before the birth.

> health insurance

Giving birth in the Women's Clinic of the Cantonal Hospital of St.Gallen

Information for expectant parents – Women's Clinic Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen

Information centres

Fapla - Counselling Centre for Family Planning, Pregnancy and Sexuality

"Fapla" is the official counselling centre for family planning, pregnancy and sexuality of the cantons of SG, AI and AR.

The offer includes value-neutral counselling and comprehensive sexual education.

In the four regional offices (St.Gallen, Sargans, Wattwil and Rapperswil-Jona), counselling takes place by appointment in person, by telephone or online.

The consultation is free of charge. All employees are under a duty of confidentiality.

Counselling centres for family planning, pregnancy and sexuality "fapla" new window

Counselling for mothers and fathers

Your child develops very quickly in the first phase of life. This also brings challenges. You as parents and guardians are advised free of charge in all situations.

The counsellors of the Mütter- und Väterberatung Service are experts in these topics:

General development of the child from 0 to 5 years
Breastfeeding
Infant formula (Formula)
Sleep
Introduction to complementary food
General nutrition in children from 0 to 5 years of age
Education / Health / Prevention
Coping with conflicts in the family
Networking with other families

Here you can find the counselling centre in your place of residence:

Directory of the Canton of St. Gallen

Counselling for mothers and fathers in a nutshell

A video of the MVBO

Further counselling services

Here you will find further counselling services:

Financial support / parenthood contributions

In the event of the birth of a child, the parents (resident in the Canton of St.Gallen) are entitled to parental contributions. This applies if at least one parent personally dedicates himself to the care and upbringing of the child and the living needs are not covered by the income.

The parent who mainly cares for the child is entitled to claim.

To register and have any questions, please contact your municipality of residence directly.

Accesskeys

Report the birth of your child to the Civil Registry Office

Annual gynaecological check-up included

Pregnancy

Pregnancy and childbirth brochure (multilingual)

Pregnancy - Information site in many languages

Birth preparation

Pregnancy and childbirth brochure (multilingual)

Birth preparation courses in different languages